The NGV and Arts Centre lit up on a winter night.

What's on this weekend in Melbourne

Discover things to do in Melbourne this weekend, from free events to exhibitions, attractions and places to visit.

This weekend only

A woman in a ball gown standing by herself, her eyes downcast, in the top left corner of the image but upside down is a group of people socialising.
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La Traviata

Glamour, riches and a tragic secret: La Traviata is the story of a courtesan falling in love.

The actors Richard Roxburgh, Damon Herriman, and Toby Schmitz - three middle aged men smiling at the camera all wearing dark suit jackets and white shirts.
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ART The Play

A razor-sharp comedy about friendship, ego and the chaos a single opinion can cause.

Two ballet dancers, one male and one female, engaged in a dance together, both dressed in blue-toned glow-in-the-dark costumes.
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Ballet of Lights: Cinderella in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

Women's soccer team standing behind a banner with arms raised in the air.

A-League Women Grand Final: Melbourne City vs Wellington

The two best teams go head-to-head in the 2026 Grand Final.

People playing boardgames at tables in a pub room with sport on a large screen.

Evergreen Games

An all-day charity boardgaming event -–make new friends while raising funds for Cure Brain Cancer.

Large-scale Buddhist artwork on display in a theatrical setting with curtains.

21 Buddhist Goddesses

A free viewing of one of the world's largest paintings, by Swiss artist Peter Iseli.

Two women wearing pink singlets with racing numbers and elaborate headdresses.

Public Great Pursuit Amazing Race

Explore Melbourne, complete challenges and visit checkpoints in this amazing race.

An outdoor farmers' market located in the Docklands area, with stalls selling fresh produce, people wandering around, and Marvel Stadium in the background.
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Docklands Waterfront Farmers' Market

The monthly Docklands Waterfront Farmers' Market returns to Harbour Esplanade.

A thoughtfully designed living room interior from the 'Two Sisters' project, with a large window, soft sheer curtains, and lounge room furniture.

Sustainable House Day

Visit the Two Sisters housing project in North Melbourne, as part of Sustainable House Day.

Woman with eyes closed and head back, her cheek being kissed by a man with dark eyebrows and hair.

Opera Australia's 70th Anniversary Gala

A glittering, milestone concert celebrating 70 years of bringing Australia the best opera.

Regular weekend events

An outdoor alpine village pop-up event at Fed Square at night, featuring private wooden chalets, string lights, and a red carpet.
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Fondue Chalet

Melbourne’s much-loved winter dining experience returns to Fed Square.

An outdoor farmers' market located in the Docklands area, with stalls selling fresh produce, people wandering around, and Marvel Stadium in the background.
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Docklands Waterfront Farmers' Market

The monthly Docklands Waterfront Farmers' Market returns to Harbour Esplanade.

A smiling woman with blond hair holding up a whole cherry pie in a dish in front of her chin, with steam rising from the pie.
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Waitress The Musical

The irresistible Broadway hit about resilience, friendship and hope.

A stand-up comedian talking into a microphone they hold in their hand, performing live on stage.
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Main Stage: Stand-Up Comedy

Have a laugh with stand-up comedy from Australia's best comedians, plus international drop-ins.

A large dinosaur model with its mouth open in a park setting.
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Dinos at the Zoo

Let your imagination run wild as you explore the trail of dinosaurs at Melbourne Zoo.

Three ballerinas on a darkened stage in glowing tutu dresses.
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Ballet of Lights: Sleeping Beauty in a Sparkling Show

The classic fairytale is reimagined with glow-in-the-dark costumes and luminous staging.

The full cast of the musical Book of Mormon on stage singing and dancing, with a painted sky coloured background and other theatre props.
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The Book of Mormon

Australia’s biggest ever musical comedy returns this February.

Market stallholder with her puppet toys, beside the Yarra River in the CBD.
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The Sunday Market at Southgate

Explore the Sunday Market at Southgate and meet the makers.

A stylised image of a woman with long red hair wearing a red V-neck shimmering dress, laughing with her head tiled back, seated in a red armchair with a red velvet curtain backdrop, an ice bucket with a bottle of Champagne on the table next to her.
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Piper's Playhouse

Step inside Piper's Melbourne’s most immersive cabaret.

Novelty wind-up chattering teeth against a yellow background.
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Basement Comedy Club: Weekend Showcase

Bringing you the biggest names and best comedians in the country, and beyond.

Three people standing for a selfie on the ground at the MCG.
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Sports Precinct Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne's sports precinct on foot with a local guide, including a tour of the MCG.

Black and white photograph from the 1960s of model, Twiggy, wearing a mini-dress at the Melbourne Cup.
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Swinging 60s

This exhibition looks at what it was like to live in Victoria during the 1960s.

Two people on a stage giving each other a high five, one also holding a microphone.
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Comedy at the Coopers Inn

A comedy club featuring the best local, interstate and international stand-up comedians.

Workshop class participants smiling in a studio setting, holding up mosaic pots and coasters they have made.
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Mosaic Making Workshop for Beginners

Learn the art of creating beautiful mosaics from start to finish.

People looking up at the trees on a guided walk in the Royal Botanic Gardens.
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Aboriginal Heritage Walk

Wominjeka: journey into Melbourne Gardens with an Aboriginal guide.

Running tour jogging along a Yarra pathway with towers in the background.
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Yarra Sunrise Running Tour

Run Melbourne’s parks, landmarks and Yarra River at sunrise on this 8km tour with coffee to finish.

The shopfront of a Japanese-style craft workshop with brightly coloured craft materials on shelves and a neon sign.
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DIY Craft Workshops

Unleash your creativity at these workshops where everyone is a designer.

Interior of a bar decorated with colourful lamps, small paintings hanging on the red walls, with small tables and chairs arranged in the space.
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Melbourne Hidden Bars Walking Tour

Discover Melbourne's hidden bars – down alleys, in basements and behind closed doors.

A person pouring out a measure of Aperol into a metal measuring cup.
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Cocktail Making Class

Mix, shake and sip your way through the ultimate cocktail class in a hidden Melbourne bar.

The lobby of a comedy venue, with a blue velvet couch and red curtains.
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Sunday Night Stand Up Comedy Show

See some of Melbourne's best stand-up comedy, every Sunday night.

Person looking at a display in a glass case, rows of colourful books in the background.
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World of the Book

Explore the rare, the sacred and the iconic in the 20th anniversary of this annual exhibition.

A group of smiling participants in a studio workshop setting, holding glass-domed terrariums.
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Serene Terrarium: Workshop for Beginners

Create your mini plant world while enjoying a soothing cuppa and a calming environment.

A large group of people in active wear all running on a path in park.
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Run the Tan: Run Club

Start the weekend off on the right foot with a run around the Tan.

Workshop participants smiling and holding multicoloured mosaic tiled coasters.
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Colourful Mosaic Coaster Workshop

Come and make mosaic coasters and step into the world of colours.

An early watercolour painting of Melbourne's Yarra River.
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Yarra: Stories of Melbourne's River

Explores the chequered history of the stream we call the ‘city’s river’.

A concrete green water trough for horses to drink from, in a Melbourne city street.
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Footsteps Through Time: Melbourne's History Walk

Step into Melbourne’s past on this two-hour guided walking tour of laneways and hidden stories.

A close up of flower made from enamel craft
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Cloisonne Enamel Painting Workshop for Beginners

Create a unique drink coaster using the ancient cloisonné art.

Three people on a walking tour with a Fit City tour guide, two carrying a takeaway coffee.
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Laneways and Lattes Walking Tour

Explore Melbourne’s hidden laneways with coffee, street art, history and culture.

Two people seated below a neon sign.
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The Story of the Moving Image

A permanent exhibition that journeys through the past, present and future of the moving image.

Animator and filmmaker Adam Elliot working on a claymation set, adjusting characters.
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Making Memoir of a Snail

Explore handmade sets, props and characters from Adam Elliot's claymation film Memoir of a Snail.

A group of people on a guided walk of the Royal Botanic Gardens, with the tour guide pointing at plant specimen.
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Free Guided Walk

A free guided walk is the perfect way to enjoy the sunny weather in Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne.

Diners seated at a table and eating from plates that have designs projected onto them from above, as part of an immersive visual art and food experience.
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7 Paintings Dining Experience

A dinner show that combines art, technology, and culinary delight into a unique experience.

A small tour group looking up from the ground floor of the La Trobe Reading Room.
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State Library Victoria Unlocked

On this exclusive tour, gain access to State Library Victoria before the doors open to the public.

Three smiling workshop participants in a studio space, holding up jewellery they have made.
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Polymer Clay Earring Workshop

Create beautiful jewellery in this fun workshop.

A plate of fluffy pancakes with ice-cream and chocolate over the top.
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Chocolate Family Adventure Day

Enjoy an all-inclusive, stress-free family outing filled with fun, creativity, and delicious treats.

Three coloured gin-based cocktails with platters of snacks.
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Gin-dulgent High Tea Experience

Take your seat for a guided gin high tea like no other with bottomless sparkling.

A green linocut of a flower and foliage printed on paper and a fabric tote bag.
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Tote Bag Block Printing Workshop

Style your bag just the way you like it with block printing in this beginner's workshop.

Man holding an old-fashioned lantern outside illuminated Flinders St Station at night, wearing a suit and cap.
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Hidden Melbourne: Ghosts, Murder and Mystery

Take a spine-chilling journey back in time to explore the rich paranormal realm of Old Melbourne.

Overhead view of a crowd of people browsing books at book stalls in an interior setting.
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Melbourne Art Book Fair

Engage with and collect unique publications from leading local and international practitioners.

A dark interior space, with smoky purple rounds of light, silhouettes of people's arms pushing into these open spaces.
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Imaginator

An immersive experience that celebrates imagination, technology and play.

Four rows of people sitting smiling and laughing.
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Kings of Comedy: Underground, Uncensored, Unrivalled

Enjoy stand-up comedy from future stars and celebrity guest headliners.

The back of a conductor in front of a choir all dressed in black with books open.

Mass of Deliverance

Hear the MSO Chorus and musicians perform two of John Rutter's radiant pieces of music.

Two different hands holding two wine glasses, resting on a restaurant's dining table, a plate of food and napkins also on the table.
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Mystery Sidedoor City: Wine and Asian Fusion Bites

Enjoy off-menu bites and paired drinks at a hidden Melbourne venue on this guided tasting adventure.

Four women standing and holding up small mosaic lamps in front of a circular neon sign.
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Mosaic Art Classes: Turkish Lamp Workshop

Make beautiful mosaic lamps at this Turkish lamp workshop in Melbourne!

Four people on a tour of Arts Centre Melbourne, seated in a foyer, with a large mural behind them.
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Arts Centre Melbourne Tours

Explore the rich heritage and striking architecture of Victoria’s performing arts icon.

A colourful woven artwork with different textures and patterns representing a map.
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Hyperworlds: Unreal Cartography

An exhibition from Allanah Sarafian exploring maps as emotional and ideological objects.

The open-sided Explorer Bus at Royal Botanic Melbourne Gardens on a path with foliage.
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The Explorer Bus Melbourne

Discover the beauty of this inner-city oasis from the comfort of an open-air minibus.

Four cabaret performers surrounded by pink and yellow feather fans.
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Cabaret Ridiculous

An hour of variety entertainment that’s as unpredictable as it is unforgettable.

A seated group of improv comedians, all looking seriously at the camera.
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Improvised Comedy: The Remix

Improvised comedy from true stories, sampled and remixed to create comedy gold.

A busker performing in the street playing an electric guitar with his head facing downwards looking at the instrument.
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Bourke Street Mall Busking

Meet Melbourne's marvellous musicians and more in the iconic Bourke Street Mall busking program.

A person spooning food from a large salad bowl onto a plate they hold in their hands.
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Local Lunch Club

Live well, eat well, together at Kathleen Syme Library.

Three illuminated lamps with cylindrical parchment or fabric shades, decorated with various pressed flowers and small human figures.
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Pressed Flower Lamp Making Workshop

Make your room colourful and vibrant with your own pressed flower lamp.

See all events on this weekend

More to explore

People milling around Fed Square at sunset.

What's on today

Discover free events, epic festivals and shows on in Melbourne today.

A night tennis match at Rod Laver Arena.

Major events

From the Australian Open to the Melbourne Cup, major events take centre stage throughout the year.

Federation square on a sunny day overlooking Flinders Station and the city skyline

What's free in Melbourne this month

Everything to see, do and enjoy in Melbourne for free this month.

A chef cooking meat skewers over a flaming grill.
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What's on in November

Things to do in Melbourne in November, from free events to exhibitions and places to visit.